Building the Next Generation of Driving Simulator
In April 2021, Serious Labs was selected out of 17 simulation companies to develop a virtual reality simulator for commercial vehicles. Our government partners have pledged $7,300,000 toward the development of the simulator, recognizing its potential to address key transportation challenges – such as driver shortages, road safety, and the costs and greenhouse gas emissions associated with in-cab training.
- To ensure a product that is “by industry, for industry” we’re working closely with the experts at the Alberta Motor Transport Association along with leading carriers and driving schools. We gratefully acknowledge the funding support of Alberta Transportation, Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), Transport Canada, and the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP).
- Four of the 13 project milestones have been completed, with a pilot launch projected for late 2023. We invite industry partners and investors to join us in creating the future of driver simulation, assessment, and training.
Rising to the Challenge
Current-generation commercial driving simulators suffer from drawbacks that limit their use, including high costs, bulkiness, obsolescence, and the rapid onset of simulator motion sickness (sometimes called “cybersickness”). Overcoming these challenges isn’t easy, but with nearly two decades of full-stack development experience in industrial simulation and training design, we’re up to the task.
Project Scope
In the first phase, beginning with the pilot in late 2023, the simulator will deliver all components of Canada’s Mandatory Entry-Level Training (MELT) curriculum, including pre-trip inspections. It will also contain assessment and refresher training tools for commercial carriers, allowing them to evaluate, train, and upskill drivers at significantly reduced costs compared to current in-cab methods.
Product Benefits
When we say “next-gen,” we mean it. Here are some of the benefits we’re building into the Serious Labs Commercial Vehicle VR Simulator:
Deep, powerful data: We’re working with data experts and psychometricians to create the world’s most accurate, predictive driving simulator. Our other products are already up to 97% predictive of operator skill levels, and with the Commercial Vehicle VR Simulator, we’re looking to do even better. Measuring over a hundred data points, the simulator will assess drivers’ skills, identify gaps, and help them improve.
Greater comfort for deeper learning: With advanced motion including six degrees of freedom (DOF) combined with neurocognitive science, the Commercial Vehicle VR Simulator will minimize cybersickness and provide unprecedented comfort. This lets drivers use it for longer and concentrate on what matters: practicing to be safe and effective behind the wheel.
Replace in-cab training hours: The Commercial Vehicle VR Simulator will be the only simulator approved to replace in-cab training hours for new drivers under the MELT curriculum, creating major time and cost savings for driving schools. It will also displace millions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions from driver training each year.
More affordable: Our lean development process and use of VR will allow us to make the simulator significantly more affordable than current-generation models. What’s more, our monthly subscription model means the product is an affordable operating expense rather than an up-front purchase, making it accessible to more customers.
Simulate anything: With quick-swap modular controls and a VR headset, the simulator can represent anything: a conventional truck, an electric or hydrogen truck, or even a bus – all on the same hardware platform. This will enable driving schools and carriers to assess and train operators for a variety of vehicles, all with one affordable simulator.
Never obsolete: Serious Labs’ monthly subscription model allows us to provide ongoing, over-the-air updates to our simulators so they’re always current. The Commercial Vehicle VR Simulator will adapt as the industry does, gaining new modules to simulate emerging technologies and help train tomorrow’s driver workforce.
Practice critical incidents: A blown tire, a bear on the highway, or losing control on an icy mountain road – only VR fully captures the immersion and intensity of these critical situations so that drivers can build confidence and stay calm. Practice makes perfect, and while we can’t practice critical incidents in a real truck, VR is the next best thing.